Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders
✅Government of India launched the ‘Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme’ by making amendments to Citizenship Act, 1955 in 2005.
✅On 09 January 2015, the Government of India discontinued the PIO card and merged it with OCI card.
▪️Eligibility:
✅Government of India allows the following categories of foreign nationals to apply for OCI Card.
Exceptions:
✅Anyone who is applying for OCI card should hold a valid Passport of another country.
✅Individuals who do not have citizenship of any other country are not eligible to gain an OCI status.
✅Individuals whose parents or grandparents hold citizenship of Pakistan and Bangladesh are not eligible to apply.
▪️Benefits for OCI cardholders:
✅Lifelong Visa to visit India multiple times. (special permission needed for research work in India).
✅No need to register with Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay.
✅Except for acquisition of agricultural and plantation properties, OCI card holders have similar facilities that are extended to NRIs in economic, financial and educational fields.
✅Same treatment as of NRIs in respect to Inter-country adoption of Indian children.
✅Also treated at par with NRIs regarding – entry fees for national monuments, practice of professions like doctors, dentists, nurses, advocates, architects, Chartered Accountants & Pharmacists.
✅At par with NRIs to participate in All India Pre-medical tests and such.
✅Treated at par with Indian citizens in matters of traffic in airfares in Indian domestic sectors.
✅Same entry fee as for Indians for entry into India’s national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
✅OCI booklet can be used as identification to avail services. An affidavit can be attached with local address as residential proof.
▪️There are certain restrictions placed on OCI card holders:
✅Do not have right to vote.
✅Do not have right to any public service/government jobs
✅Cannot hold offices of – Prime Minister, President, Vice -President, Judge of Supreme Court and High Court, member of Parliament or Member of state legislative assembly or council.
✅Cannot own agricultural property.
#prelims2021
#Revision_notes
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